Weinberg, a Jewish, Polish composer who lost most of his family during World War II, wrote the quintet in Moscow in 1944.

Constructed in five movements, the piece is highly melodic, extremely expressive and full of energy and musical surprises. A haunting "Largo" movement, an inventive waltz section and the frequent tears-of-a-clown moments of simultaneous joy and melancholy combine to create rich music.

The five players brought gleaming rhythmic and technical precision to the piece, along with an uncluttered musical delivery that gave it a plain-spoken poignancy.

The program's second half featured Messiaen's profound "Quartet for the End of Time," performed by Shaw, Jensen and Andres, with clarinetist Hideaki Aomori.

Written in POW camp

Written in a German prisoner-of-war camp during World War II, the piece's 1941 premiere took place at the camp, outdoors, on battered instruments. It rained.

Shaw, Jensen, Aomori and Andres gave an eloquent, deeply moving performance, relying not on an emotionally wrung-out interpretation for musical meaning, but on simple, direct musical statements that translated into a searing, expressive honesty.

From the piece's first introductory movement, "Crystal Liturgy," through the final "In Praise of the Immortality of Jesus," the players brought dignity and meaning to the emotionally charged music.

Powerful musical statements, uttered simply, made unforgettable music of full-quartet sections of the piece, as well as Aomori's riveting take on the solo clarinet movement "The Abyss of the Birds," some deeply stirring cello passages, and Shaw and Andres' emotionally wrenching take on the piece's final movement.

A few pitch and sound wobbles as the piece progressed testified to the musical and physical demands of the demanding program.

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Keep up with the art scene and trends in urban design with art and architecture critic Mary Louise Schumacher. Every week, you'll get the latest reviews, musings on architecture and her picks for what to do on the weekends.

E-mail Newsletter

Keep up with the art scene and trends in urban design with art and architecture critic Mary Louise Schumacher. Every week, you'll get the latest reviews, musings on architecture and her picks for what to do on the weekends.